If you take a job in a small, publicly held company, should you expect to earn less than at a large, public company? The surprising answer is no. Compensation survey data shows that a person working in a company with, say, $50 million in annual revenue should be making the same amount as a person doing the same job in a company with $500 million in revenues. 'The overall job market, not the size of the company, determines the value of the job,' said Erisa Ojimba, compensation consultant at Salary.com.Executives' pay may be the exception, she said, because of the mix of executives' pay in small... view article details

Competition is Fierce As you progress throughout your career, may you have the good fortune of consistently being the unanimous, nobody-else-comes-close, top candidate for every job that you apply for. Perhaps it’s because your talent and expertise is undeniable. Maybe friends or old co-workers continually reach out to you to join them in their latest venture. Some of you might wisely take the path of least resistance by seeking out jobs through referrals so that you don’t have to compete with the masses.For everyone else, you're probably facing a very competitive job market. Let’s fa... view article details

Dear Annette,What exactly is 'business casual'? I usually wear suits, but I feel overdressed now that my company has instituted this new, more relaxed dress code. Any hints?Too formal in PhillyDear Formal,Hosts and fashion police like to throw out dress code terms and phrases as if they were an actual Thing. But most of these combinations of words are made up, virtually meaningless, just thrown together to get someone off the hook. 'Semiformal.' 'Cool casual.' 'Relaxed retro.' 'Country club.' And at auditions, 'Wear something you can move in.' I hate when I get dressed in the morning and can't... view article details

Tips on Business Travel by Air during Coronavirus With the spread of coronavirus throughout the world, you must take all kinds of precautions when traveling. Although most companies have started working online, some jobs still require travel by plane. We are still in a critical period for controlling the spread of the virus, so travelers, please keep these travel tips in mind. Protect yourself and stay safe! When you check in, you should pay attention to: 1. Choose a window seat Studies have shown that people in aisle seats on planes leave their se... view article details

So, you taught your dog to catch a Frisbee and your parrot to squawk 'Loser!' when your brother walks into the room. Well done.The rewards of animal training are many -- ranging from the obvious advantages of a puddle-free house to the potential 15 minutes of 'stupid pet trick' fame on Letterman.  But it goes both ways. Our pets also model valuable behaviors worth emulating, such as loyalty, trust and affection. Are you learning, Teacher? Consider what pet traits are worth following and which demand avoidance in the workplace. Here are a few....Old dogs can -- and should -- learn new tricks ... view article details

13 Best Business Books to Boost Business Acumen Think you need an MBA from a top school to gain business smarts? What follows is a list of the 13 best business books, some old, some new, to have you thinking like a top business major in no time. Even if your career isn't focused on business or entrepreneurship every employee can use tips and advice from business experts and thought-leaders to be a better worker. Check out these titles to boost your business acumen and possibly improve your life. 1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. C... view article details

Q: I just had my performance review about a week ago, and I was rewarded with a pay increase of 4.75 percent, which seems minimal at best. According to my calculations, this increase does not even cover the cost of living. Is it a common practice for large companies to "reward" employees with such a negligible raise? If not, how could I learn what the median raise is for companies in my area? A: Most companies have a merit budget that dictates the amount of money they give employees when it comes time to deliver annual merit increases. The average merit increase in 2000 hovered around 4 perce... view article details

Disintermediate. Recontextualize. Envisioneer. You’ve got to give business executives one thing: They love their jargon. Clinging to their buzzwords like Leo DiCaprio to a life raft, there are managers out there who seem to enjoy a squirt of dopamine every time they use a verb like architect (yes, as a verb!) or interface. Throw in some adjectives like constructivist, interdisciplinary, metacognitive or inquiry-centered, and then tack them on to nouns like bandwidth, convergence and methodologies and you’re well on your way to a minor stroke as you try to process the message lurking behind all... view article details

Safe Travel Tips from the U.S. State Department  Relax: You're Flying   Should We Fly? Or Surf?    Relax: You're Flying  One mile high, as the stars come out, you place cucumbers over your eyelids and settle in for a good night's sleep in coach. Children may kick the seat behind you, the guy to your right may encroach, and strange human noises may blend overhead with the dry relentless forced-air ventilation system - but you're moisturized, hydrated, relaxed, and ready to do business tomorrow. At least, in your dreams.How do veteran road warriors do it, week after week, flying from city to cit... view article details

Taking a business trip is often part of the job. You may even enjoy the trip, but that doesn’t make it a vacation. Business travel is considered work time. And when thinking about the business travel compensation and reimbursement you’re owed, you should understand what you’re entitled to. Responsibility for Reimbursing Business Travel Expenses When employers think about business travel compensation, they typically begin by putting reimbursement guidelines in place so employees know exactly what they can (and cannot) expense. Business travel expenses can fly out of control in a hurry, and empl... view article details